Interface arrangement for data transfer between carrier aircraft and missile

摘要

The interface arrangement is provided for data transfer between a carrier aircraft and a missile which is to be launched from the carrier aircraft and which includes a target seeking head. The missile is connected to the carrier aircraft through a connecting cable which contains a small number of wires sufficient for transferring analog data and which is detachable upon launch. For selectively operating the carrier aircraft in conjunction with a missile which is equipped with either (i) a target seeking head producing analog target deviation data or (ii) a image processing target seeking head, at least two interfaces are connected to the connecting cable. One of the interfaces is designed for data transfer via the connecting cable to and from the target seeking head producing analog target deviation data. An other one of the interfaces is designed for data transfer via the connecting cable to and from a image processing target seeking head. A controller enables selective connection of the connecting cable to either one of the two interfaces. The controller responds to identifying signals signalling the type of target seeking head and automatically activating a respective one of the interfaces.